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Issue #465 August 2, 2016
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Prayers, Please
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly begins Sunday, August 7, 2016 and ends on Saturday, August 13, 2016. Coinciding with the Assembly is the Grace Gathering event from Wednesday though Saturday. Please remember in your prayers all who will participate in these events, especially Bishop H. Julian Gordy and the Southeastern Synod voting members:
| Pr. Joy Blaylock | Ms. Elise Dawson | Mr. Mike Franklin | | Pr. Jill Henning | Mr. Jesse Jackson | Pr. Randy Jones | | Ms. Nicole Larsen | Ms. Anna Montgomery | Mr. Gary Pederson | | Mr. Imran Siddiqui |
| Ms. Doris Underwood |
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Freed and Renewed in Christ
2016 Churchwide Assembly
 Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will gather August 8-13 in assembly in New Orleans. Meeting under the theme "Freed and Renewed in Christ: 500 Years of God's Grace in Action," the assembly's business will include preparations for observing the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. The assembly - the highest legislative body of the ELCA - will be composed of 980 voting members serving on behalf of the 3.7 million members of the ELCA.
People not attending the assembly can follow #ELCAcwa on social media for updates and access live video of plenary sessions at ELCA.org/ChurchwideAssembly.
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Southeastern Synod
2016 Leadership Convocation
Lutheridge Conference Center
Arden, NC
October 11-13, 2016
Lord, listen to your children praying;
A communal conversation and action on racial reconciliation  Click here for a message from Bishop H. Julian Gordy and information about the Leadership Convocation.
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A proclivity for paradox
By Elizabeth A. Eaton
 A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all (Martin Luther in Freedom of a Christian).
Wow, Lutherans love paradox! Law and gospel. Saint and sinner. Free and bound. David Swartling, former ELCA secretary, often noted that we are a "both and church" in an "either or world." Continue.
Originally published in Living Lutheran's August 2016 issue, this column is reprinted with permission.
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ELCA Reformation 500th Anniversary
A Message from Presiding Bishop Eaton
Dear partners in service of Christ,
In the Small Catechism, Martin Luther bequeathed to the church a concise but rich explanation of the basics of Christian faith and life. It has been a treasure for millions of us throughout the centuries and around the world. "What does this mean?" and "This is most certainly true." are two of our most recognizable touchstones for thinking and talking about life and service together in Christ. One could argue that no other experience is more universally Lutheran than studying this little book - not cultural markers like cuisine nor even hymnody and worship style. Continue. |
August 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. EDT
The Rev. Dr. Mark Scott will be installed as Interim Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2922 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA.
August 14, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. CDT
The Rev. Richard H. Mueller will be installed as Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8271 Whispering Pines Road, Daphne, AL.
August 21, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. EDT
The Rev. Timothy N. Wrenn will be installed as Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, 176 West Sandtown Road, Marietta, GA.
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All Are Welcome |
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Preparing for New Overtime Rules
Your church will likely face one of the largest challenges in just the next few months.
Most churches aren't ready for the new overtime and worker classification changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) the Department of Labor recently published, which will impact to millions of U.S. workers and their employers.
Click here to read more and find out if your congregation is ready.
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Free Worship Materials
 Copies of the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice (WOV) are available to congregations and missions, free of charge. If interested, please contact Pr. Michael Jannett, Advent,  Murfreesboro, TN at pastor@theadventchurch.com (LBW and WOV - approximatley 120 each) or Pr. Dave Smedley, Hope, Ellijay, GA at hopeelca@ellijay.com (LBW - approximately 150). |
Funding Requests Now Being Accepted
Deadline: October 1
The Southeastern Synod's Budget and Finance Committee is now accepting requests for funding in the Synod's 2018-19 Ministry Funding Plan proposal, which will be presented for action at next year's synod assembly. Agencies, institutions and other groups are invited to submit their requests between now and the October 1st deadline, using the online request form available here.
Funding for committees and task forces is approved on a different cycle and requires a different form. Please use the online form located here to request support for a committee or task force during the next fiscal year (2017-18). The deadline for submitting committee/task force requests is also October 1.
Note that links to the funding request forms are also included as one of the "Quick Links" on the synod's web pages ( www.elca-ses.org). Questions about the synod budgeting process may be directed to Budget & Finance Committee chairperson, Fred Weinhold ( jfweinhold@gmail.com) or Synod Treasurer Lee Smith ( leejanmad@knology.net). |
Law & Grace
Martin Luther, Lucas Cranach, and
The Promise of Salvation
October 11, 2016 - January 16, 2017
1531 Dickey Drive, Suite 560 Atlanta, GA 30322
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ELCA Introduces Second Phase of Future Directions Initiative
CHICAGO (July 28, 2016) - Continuing the conversation on its future priorities, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) invites members to participate in the second phase of "Called Forward Together in Christ," an initiative that asks members to consider the kind of church God is calling the ELCA to become.
A paper released July 26 shares key messages discovered through conversations across the ELCA during the first phase of the process. Members are being asked to provide feedback on the findings that emerged. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 9. The paper is available at ELCA.org/future.
In the paper's preface, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said the 500th anniversary of the Reformation "provides a powerful focal point for reaffirming who we are as a Lutheran church and understanding what God is calling this church to be in its ongoing reformation."
Introduced in April, "Called Forward Together in Christ," is led by Eaton, endorsed by the ELCA Church Council and is in collaboration with the ELCA Conference of Bishops.
Following this process, a statement of future directions and priorities will be considered by the ELCA Church Council at its November 2016 meeting. The goal is to launch the statement in 2017 as part of the ELCA's observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
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Readings in the Lutheran Confessions
August 15, 2016 - December 5, 2016
Mondays, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
3050 Cascade Road SW
Atlanta, GA 30331
A graduate course offered by the Lutheran Theological Center of Atlanta
in partnership with the Interdenominational Theological Center
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 Pre-retirement Seminar Living Grace Lutheran Church 1812 Cooledge Road Tucker, GA Thursday, October 18, 2016
Thinking about retiring soon? Join Bishop H. Julian Gordy, Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Ben Moravitz, and Southeastern Synod Portico Representative Rev. Paul Aebischer to begin planning now.
This pre-retirement seminar is for anyone over age 50 and considering retiring within the next 15 years. It will be held on Thursday, October 18, 2016 at Living Grace Lutheran Church in Tucker, GA. You must register to attend.
To learn more and to register, click here. |
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Hamilton on Day 1
 The Rev. Dr. Ruth Hamilton, pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Atlanta, is the featured preacher Aug. 21 on "Day 1" with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org.
Keeping the Sabbath Holy," Hamilton's sermon for Aug. 21, is drawn from the story in Luke 13:10-17 of Jesus' healing of a crippled woman in a synagogue on the Sabbath. "So how do we keep the Sabbath holy today?" she says. "Few of us would want to return to a world full of blue laws and strict rules about how to observe the Sabbath - even if we could."
The program includes interviews with Hamilton conducted by Wallace, who is also executive producer.
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 Click here for the first edition of the Disability Ministries of the ELCA newsletter. |
Lutheran Services of Georgia's 9th Annual Awards Event Thursday, August 11, 2016 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Heritage Sandy Springs 6110 Blue Stone Road NE Atlanta, GA 30328 Click here for information and tickets. |
 Click above for information about starting a Reformation 500 Bookstore. Click here for News from Augsburg Fortress |
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You are Invited to the Happy Trails Gala
Saturday August 20, 2016
6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
the Inaugural Lutheranch Gala Dinner and Silent Auction
to benefit Lutheranch NovusWay Ministries
at
The Georgian Club
100 Galleria Parkway SE, Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA
Distinguished Guests
Mr. John Schuerholz and Bishop H. Julian Gordy
$125.00 per ticket
Payments accepted by cash, check,Visa, MasterCard or Discover
Sponsorship opportunities and reserved group seating available
Black Tie Optional
RSVP to Margo Rabon
28 Spruce Drive, Arden, NC 28704
Free parking. Doors open at 5:30.
Please plan to arrive early to be seated by 6:00.
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 Three identical events:October 7-8, 2016: Bethany Lutheran Church, Englewood, Colorado
October 14-15, 2016: Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester Minnesota
November 4-5, 2016: Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
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Southeastern Synod Holy Land Study Program
 For several years Dr. Monte Luker, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, has offered trips to the Holy Land for members of our synods. In 2017, Dr. Luker is offering a study trip to members of the Southeastern Synod.
Diaconal Minister Allison Ward and her husband Jim will help coordinate our synod's pilgrimage. Seminarians are encouraged to use this experience as a multi-cultural course. Scholarships are available. Congregations and individuals are invited to offer funds to supplement scholarships.
Click here for information found on Dr. Luker's travel site. You may also contact Allison Ward at AllisonWard@comcast.net.
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Immunizations! Is Your Family Covered?
Written by Connie Pearson, RN, MN, who serves as Chair of the Southeastern Synod
Health Ministries Task Force.
The new school season is almost here and parents and children will soon be rushing around to ensure that new school supplies, appropriate clothing, lunch bags, backpacks and other required school items are purchased and ready for the first day of school. As a former school nurse I repeatedly observed parents arriving at school on the first day lacking the required proof that their children had been immunized against seven communicable diseases. Continue.
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Tirro Receives Campus Ministry Award
 The Rev. John Tirro, Pastor of Congregational Life and Campus Ministry, Tyson House, Knoxville, TN was named the recipient of the "2016 Philip N. Knutson Award for Creativity and Risk-Taking." This achievement was announced at the National Staff Gathering, a recent event "to celebrate ministry among students, faculty and staff at college and university campuses across the country on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America", said the Rev. Don Romsa, ELCA Program Director for Campus Ministry. Congratulations, Pr. Tirro!
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It's a Low Country Boil for Lutheran Campus Ministry Atlanta (LCM)
 LCM serves Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory and Agnes Scott and we need your support. Please come to our fun event on Saturday, August 27th, at Living Grace Lutheran Church, 1812 Cooledge Rd, Tucker, GA at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and anyone under 21 is admitted free! Tickets are available online at the LCM Atlanta webpage, www.gracepeople.org. Willing to donate an auction item for the silent auction? If so, please contact Evelyn Cannon, epcmail@bellsouth.net. She is also available to answer questions about the event.
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Free Electronic Organ
 A Rodgers 220-II Cambrigde organ is available free to anyone who can pick it up in Peachtree City, GA. The original donor simply wants it put to use in a church, in someone's home, or in another facility.
It is in good shape and sounds good. The dark-wood finish would fit into any décor. Here are the facts: Rodgers 220-II Cambridge organ Two manuals, AGO-standard pedalboard (32 notes) Speakers would be provided new unless the new owner integrated it into a PA system.
or 770-487-8717, ext. 213. |
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Summer Carnival at Messiah
August 27, 2016
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Messiah
465 Clairemont Avenue
Decatur, GA 30033
Bouncy houses, food trucks, carnival games with prizes, and more!
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 A Bereavement Seminar will be held at Camp Kinard near Batesburg-Leesville, SC, on October 7-9, 2016. The seminar offers support for men and women who have been widowed within the last five years.
A New Road 34 is sponsored by the ELCA South Carolina Synod and assisted in funding by friends and participants of A New Road Seminars.
For more information call Dee Camp at 864-706-6596 or Ann Simons at 706-910-7534. The registration deadline is September 1.
Please visit A New Road to Grief Recovery website and Facebook page .
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WE ARE CHURCH FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORLD
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2016 Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Quilt and Kit Collection
The Southeastern Synod Women of the ELCA (WELCA) will be collecting Lutheran World Relief Quilts and Kits at 7 locations throughout the synod on August 26 and 27, 2016. Trucks will be loaded and the cartons of quilts, fleece-tied blankets, personal care kits, school kits, baby care kits, fabric kits, and soap will be transported to the LWR warehouse in Baltimore, MD.
This year LWR distributed items to Syrian refugees in Jordan, students and their
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| | Tanzania children receiving personal care kits. |
families in Tanzania and Guatemala, and to those affected by disasters in Nepal and Nicaragua, just to name a few. While quilts are always needed, at this time personal care and school kits are needed the most.
Detailed information, times and locations of collection sites, as well as a church reporting form that must accompany your items, may be found here on the WELCA website. If you have questions please call Janice Hawkins at 770-712-6090. |
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2016 
August 7, 2016: Prayer & Lament, Resurrection, Marietta, GA
August 27, 2016: Lutheran Campus Ministry Atlanta Low Country Boil, Living Grace, Tucker, GA
August 27, 2016: Summer Carnival, Messiah, Decatur, GA
September 11, 2016: "God's work. Our hands." Sunday.
September 16 -17, 2016: Synod Council Meeting, Christ Our Hope, Riverdale, GA
September 16 - 18, 2016: Southeastern Synod Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Convention, Hilton Hotel, Peachtree Corners, GA
2017
May 26 - 28, 2017: 2017 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
July 13 - 17, 2017: Tenth Triennial for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Minneapolis, MN
August 7 - 10, 2017: 2017 Rostered Leaders Gathering, Atlanta, GA
October 17 - 19, 2017: Leadership Convocation
2018
June 1 - 3, 2018: 2018 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
2019
May 31 - June 2, 2019: 2019 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
2020
June 5 - 7, 2020: 2020 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
2021
June 4 - 6, 2021: 2021 Synod Assembly, Chattanooga, TN
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Descriptions and application instructions for the following open positions and others are listed on our website:
Director of Youth Ministries, First, Detroit Lakes, MN
Organist, Mt. Zion - St. Luke, Oglethorpe, GA
Music Director, Christ, Fairfield Glade (Crossville), TN
Director of Youth & Family Ministry, Christ Our Shepherd, Peachtree City, GA
Pianist, Celebration of Grace, Canton, GA
Regional Office Director for Society of St. Andrew, Birmingham, AL
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SYNOD VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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Volunteers are crucial to the mission of the Southeastern Synod. Click here to find ways you can serve. Thank you for your generosity! | |
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ELCA Southeastern Synod
100 Edgewood Ave. NE, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-589-1977
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